holiday tea.

i wish this were a real event.  and that i could be in attendance...

xo. di.

*image 1,2,3

rue holiday.

i know all magazines try to draw you in with their cover, but not all succeed.  when rue magazine's holiday issue showed up in my inbox yesterday?  i couldn't wait to read it last night. 

inspired by images of dolly parton, early in her career.  new obsession!  see more of the jingle belle editorial here.  and i loved seeing a peak into bri of design love fest's corner of the world.  you can see the whole holiday issue here.  

xo. di.

*images via the city sage

she, six.

you know she is getting ready for the holidays!

she knows it's better to give 

than to receive.

xo. di.

*image via

much love monday.

i like to use monday as a way to reflect on the previous week, to start anew, and to send a little love into the world.  won't you join me?    

today i am grateful for:

work is all kinds of chaotic at the moment and is taking up most of my life, but i did get to squeeze in a date to zoo lights with c on friday and put a dent in my christmas projects.
 
pictures worth a thousand words:

 {paperwhite bulbs, planted}

 {c surprised me with a real (apt-sized!) tree this week.  my childhood ornaments are still in mi, so we're working with 2 at the moment, lol}

 {first trip to zoo lights of the season!}

 {spent sunday morning at renegade holiday craft fair}

this week's blog love:  

• design*sponge's living in: casablanca...swoon.
• i adore inspired design's holiday inspiration post.
• six twelve place says its the season to sparkle.  i agree! 
• am loving a little ditty's and 33 shades of green's "made in america" gift guide series, find out more here and here.

here's to another grateful and love-filled week.  

xo. di.

*images by me 

festive friday: december 2, 2011

it's time to retire fall for fridays until next year, folks.  do not be sad, many things cannot fly (i just referenced land before time.  go with it!)  so what's next?  how about festive friday to take us through the rest of 2011?!  i'll share a photograph of something i've done in the previous week to get the holiday cheer flowing, whether that be decorating, crafting, baking or doing something christmasey (think: zoo lights, etc).  so here we go...  

{my budding nutcracker collection}

xo. di. 

*image by me

the IT list.

ladies and gentlemen, it's back...

Now that it's December the holiday season is in full swing and this week's IT list has a decidedly holiday feel to it!  Check out these great links!

• free to be stacia lee shows off a fun look for a holiday girls night out! I'm loving the dressy shorts and tights combo here! 
• the posh blog pulled together a super fun Twelve POSH Days of Christmas!  You have to check this out... my favorite? Three french macaroons... (find the posh blog on twitter!)
• gs lillian is hosting a fabulous giveaway for 6 (yes, six!) of her gorgeous cuff bracelets!  All you have to do is link up with your holiday wish list! Easy, huh? (find gs lillian on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style rounds up my new favorite winter layering piece - the vest! Check out her picks and inspirations! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• suze wears clothes puts together three looks based on one gorgeous camel colored blazer.  Check out these looks that are perfect for the holiday season! (find size wears clothes on twitter!)
• sweet life a la carte was innocently getting holiday pictures taken when the photoshoot suddenly turned into engagement photos!  He proposed!  Check out these sweet photos! (find sweet life a la carte on twitter!)
• second street east is giving away a copy of Design*Sponge's new book!  Stop by her blog to enter to win one for yourself or for a friend! (find second street east on twitter!)
• i love that is swooning over Gwenyth Paltrow's hair... but who doesn't really? Check out this eye candy and potential inspiration for holiday hair dos!
• things i do think wear see love dream is sporting a trend-trifecta!  I love this look... see how she pulls together three hot trends in one super hot look! (find things i... on twitter!)
• the tiemann girls show off their holiday paper stash (jealous!) plus, the one thing they do to remind themselves of the reason for the season.  I love this inspiration!
• so much to smile about has the ultimate gift guide for a blogger. This list is SO fabulous, but my favorite is the Inslee fashion illustrations. Yes, please! (find so much to smile about on twitter!)
• good clean fun whips up a batch of roasted butternut squash risotto! I love risotto for winter - it's great comfort food!  Check out her recipe... (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• the capital barbie has a full round up of 'smoking' loafers.  These are the hottest shoes this season and I love that the look so comfortable!  Check out her picks! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
• life told my leslie features yet another shorts and tights look for winter! I am loving this trend - check out how she pulls it together!
• a spot of whimsy pulls out tons of inspiration for advent calendars this holiday season. You have to check out all of this inspiration! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by jill of good life for less - for info on how you can be involved, click here!

happy friday!  and stay tuned for a new december series later today.

xo. di.

advent II

happy december 1, lovely readers!  here we are again, the threshold of the true holiday season.  i'm ready.  well not ready, ready.  i have TONS to do (my own fault, why don't i ever start my christmas crafts earlier?!) between now and december 25, but i am jumping in with both feet.  and i know i did an advent post last year, but they're just so cute and fun, so i've rounded up another batch for you here!

 {clockwise from top left: 1,2,3}

 {clockwise from top left: 1,2,3}

 {1,2}

{clockwise from top left: 1,2,3}

some day i'll do something precious like these.  but for now, take a peek at the advent calendar c bought us for our apartment this year.  welcome to my world:

xo. di.   

*all images as noted above, star wars via